Psalm 73

Book III

Psalm 73

A psalm of Asaph.

Surely God is good to Israel,

to those who are pure in heart.^a

But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;^b

I had nearly lost my foothold.^c

For I envied^d the arrogant

when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.^e

They have no struggles;

their bodies are healthy and strong.

They are free^f from common human burdens;

they are not plagued by human ills.

Therefore pride^g is their necklace;^h

they clothe themselves with violence.ⁱ

From their callous hearts^j comes iniquity;

the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.

They scoff, and speak with malice;^k

with arrogance^l they threaten oppression.^m

Their mouths lay claim to heaven,

and their tongues take possession of the earth.

Therefore their people turn to them

and drink up waters in abundance.

They say, “How would God know?

Does the Most High know anything?”

This is what the wicked are like—

always free of care,ⁿ they go on amassing wealth.^o

Surely in vain^p I have kept my heart pure

and have washed my hands in innocence.^q

All day long I have been afflicted,^r

and every morning brings new punishments.

If I had spoken out like that,

I would have betrayed your children.

When I tried to understand^s all this,

it troubled me deeply

till I entered the sanctuary^t of God;

then I understood their final destiny.^u

Surely you place them on slippery ground;^v

you cast them down to ruin.^w

How suddenly^x are they destroyed,

completely swept away^y by terrors!

They are like a dream^z when one awakes;^a

when you arise, Lord,

you will despise them as fantasies.^b

When my heart was grieved

and my spirit embittered,

I was senseless^c and ignorant;

I was a brute beast^d before you.

Yet I am always with you;

you hold me by my right hand.^e

You guide^f me with your counsel,^g

and afterward you will take me into glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you?^h

And earth has nothing I desire besides you.ⁱ

My flesh and my heart^j may fail,^k

but God is the strength^l of my heart

and my portion^m forever.

Those who are far from you will perish;ⁿ

you destroy all who are unfaithful^o to you.

But as for me, it is good to be near God.^p

I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;^q

I will tell of all your deeds.^r